Royan, Coastal resort town in Charente-Maritime, France
Royan is a municipality on the Atlantic coast in Charente-Maritime, where the Gironde estuary opens to the sea. Its five sandy beaches line limestone cliffs and lead to a marina with berths for sailboats and motorboats.
German troops occupied the town during World War II until Allied air raids destroyed much of it in 1945. Reconstruction began shortly after the war ended and lasted over a decade, with architects choosing modern designs for the entire town center.
The name Royan comes from the Latin Rodoialum, reflecting the Roman origins of the settlement. Today visitors notice the wide streets and open squares created during reconstruction, used by locals for weekly markets and summer festivals.
The beaches are within walking distance from the town center and offer different orientations, so visitors can find a sheltered section depending on wind and tides. Ferry connections across the Gironde estuary run daily during warmer months and allow day trips to the opposite shore.
The town hall was completed in just three years and stands among the earliest major reconstruction projects. Its facade uses prefabricated concrete elements that were considered an experiment in French building methods at the time.
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